FM11: Blackpool - A New Era

[hedger_14]

Wow nice job being at the top! I can't play FM11, my teams always give away wins by conceding a bunch of goals in the 91st minute and it makes me want to throw my computer out the window.

Ah, the times of sucking so badly you start yelling at the players and want to fire them the moment after the match just cause they've given away a 94th minute penalty

And Michael Laudrup is managing United

 

[Spoobir]

I had a Derby County save where I was a club legend, took them to a Champion's League spot, Carling Cup final and numerous successful seasons in the Premier League and yet the fried chickening board would still refuse all my requests and sell my players without even asking me. So eventually I quit, moved to Man City, bought all Derby's good players and hired all their great staff then watched as they got relegated two seasons in a row. Haven't played since.

 

[Bevab]

That is what called the real revenge.

Nice playing there, Hedger.

 

[Haarithan]

Sad to see that you lost out there to United, though I think the match's referee had something to do with United's win. And a nice looking squad that you've got.

 

[hedger_14]

21st October - Blackpool v Everton - Premier Division​

Blackpool had fallen down to 6th but a win against Everton would move them back up into first, while a draw would put them in 3rd. Everton on the other hand was at the back of the ladder in 18th and only one win from their opening 7 games. James McFadden was rumoured to be in line for a return this match but Hedger stated in the pre match press conference that he didn't want to risk further injuries, while Everton would be without Sebastien Pocognoli. In the two teams last 6 meetings, Blackpool have taken 3 wins and a draw while Everton won the other two, and Blackpool would be firm favourites, at home against a struggling Everton side. Chris Wood meanwhile vowed to end his 467 minute goal draught today. Only two changes were made to Blackpool's side that lost to Man Utd a couple of weeks ago, Mikael Dorsin and Jeffren coming in for Tarik Brack and Giovani dos Santos.


Blackpool:

GK: William Caballero

DL: Mikael Dorsin
DC: Phil Jones
DC: Ian Evatt
DR: Lee Hodson

ML: Israel
MC: Charlie Adam (C)
MC: Ludovic Sylvestre
MR: Jeffren

ST: David Goodwillie
ST: Chris Wood

Subs: David Ospina, Neal Eardley, Craig Cathcart, Jonathan Woodgate, Edu Bedia, Elliot Grandin, Giovani dos Santos


Everton:

GK: Alex Smithies

DL: Leighton Baines
DC: Jonathan Bottinelli
DC: John Heitinga
DR: Seamus Coleman

DMC: Damien Marcq

ML: Djamel Mesbah
MC: Marouane Fellaini
MC: Jack Rodwell
MR: Issiar Dia

ST: Orlando Sa

Subs: David Stockdale, Ondrej Mazuch, Dennis Appiah, Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, Cameron Jerome, Joseph Yobo, Martin Hudec


Sa had a great opportunity to open the scoring for Everton early on when he had a chance from within the box only minutes in but hit the ball across the face of goal and out for a goalkick. Fellaini opened the scoring after a great Rodwell pass who put him through on goal and he made the finishing touch with ease and Everton were up 1-0 within 10 minutes. It was all Blackpool though from then on, but they just couldn't find their way onto the scoresheet, and it got even worse when Jeffren was sent off on the brink of half-time for an elbow on Baines.

Nothing changed in the second half though as Blackpool made a few chances in the first 20 minutes of the second half but just couldn't find the way into the back of the net, so dos Santos and Edu Bedia was brought on for Wood and Sylvestre. That was it though as Blackpool couldn't score at all and ended up losing 1-0, a big disappointment. Fellaini took the MOTM award for his goal although didn't have a great game apart from that, although he did win 5/5 headers. In the end though, it was a pretty poor game and there were no real stand outs.

 

[Haarithan]

lol I rather hope you don't do a Hull City 2009-10. They were placed second after the first 7 rounds, only to get relegated at the EOS after a pathetic second half.

 

[JBlues08]

And Michael Laudrup is managing United

Interesting choice there by them. Never thought of him.

 

[hedger_14]

Yeah, it is a strange choice indeed

And no updates for a couple of days as I've got an assignment to do, due next week and then friends are coming over on Tuesday so Wednesday will probably be my next update

 

[hedger_14]

24th October - Dinamo Moscow v Blackpool - EURO Cup​

These two teams would be going into the match wanting a win and Dinamo Moscow were the even favourites to win the match, with the home advantage but Blackpool would be looking to snatch the points today. Dinamo Moscow's chances would really be hurt by the absense of the German striker, Kevin Kuranyi who has scored 10 goals already in Moscow's EURO Cup campaign but Dinamo Moscow would have to make do without the key striker, and no other player on the team has scored more than 1 goal. Chris Wood would be looking to end his goal draught meanwhile and both James McFadden and DJ Campbell would make a return for Blackpool, while they got the late news of Giovani dos Santos being injured and unavailable for this match but should be fine for the weekend clash with Aston Villa. Blackpool made a heap of changes to their starting XI to continue the rotation policy to keep players fit, but they would still fancy their chances to pull off an upset.


Dinamo Moscow:

GK: Vladimir Gabulov

DL: Goran Popov
DC: Alexandr Boev
DC: Denis Kolodin
DR: Jhonny Palacios

ML: Edgaras Cesnauskis
MC: Luis Aguiar
MC: Luke Wilkshere
MR: Alexey Korolev

ST: Alexandr Malov
ST: Sergey Vasiljev

Subs: Alexandr Leonov, Martin Fillo, Mikhail Ivanov, Andriy Voronin, Umar Khoklov, Igor Polukhin, Sergey Smolnikov


Blackpool:

GK: David Ospina

DL: Tarik Brack
DC: Phil Jones (C)
DC: Craig Cathcart
DR: Neal Eardley

ML: David Carney
MC: Edu Bedia
MC: Ludovic Sylvestre
MR: Elliot Grandin

ST: David Goodwillie
ST: Chris Wood

Subs: William Caballero, Lee Hodson, Jonathan Woodgate, James McFadden, Edu Bedia, Elliot Grandin, DJ Campbell


It wasn't an entertaining first 10 minutes as no chances were presented during the early period but it didn't take much longer for Blackpool to get on the scoreboard through an own goal from the keeper, Gabulov when Carney had a strike at goal which hit the post only to come back at the keeper and hit him before going back into the goal, being ruled an own goal, but Blackpool were up 1-0. Dinamo Moscow hit back on the half hour mark though when Cesnauskis' cross was finished off by Vasiljev. Carney seemed to be getting the chances for Blackpool as he nearly scored straight after the responding kick off but Gabulov made a good save to deny him. That was all for the first half as the scores stayed level and it was 1-1 going into the break.

Goodwillie found his way onto the scoresheet not long after half-time though when Carney played a perfect ball to him, before Goodwillie played a perfect first touch to get past Kolodin and then from a near impossible angle used the far post to his advantage as it deflected off the inside of the post and went in to give Blackpool a 2-1 lead after 50 minutes. DJ Campbell was finally given a run with just over 20 minutes remaining, Goodwillie coming off, maybe resting him so that he could play against Villa on the weekend. He got involved nearly straight away as well as he made a run on the back of a good through ball and then got inside the box, drawing Boev across to try and make the tackle before cutting it back for Wood who didn't have to do anything more but tap it in to finally end his goal draught and put the game right in control for Blackpool with a 2 goal lead. Dinamo Moscow could not create any pressure though and Blackpool continued to hold on, bringing on Noble and Woodgate in the meantime as they held out for a stunning 3-1 win, although Carney had the chance to get himself on the scoresheet in the 94th minute with a long range strike which was saved by the keeper, and would have capped off a great performance from the left midfielder but he had every reason to be happy with his performance.

David Carney deservedly took the MOTM award putting in a great performance with 2 assists and making 3 runs down the left wing to trouble the Dinamo Moscow defence and also had 3 shots on goal. Chris Wood had a good game up front, scoring a goal and winning 5 headers, 2 tackles and travelling 10.2km over the course of the game, while the skipper, Phil Jones had a solid performance at the back, winning 2 of 3 tackles, 10/10 headers and making 6 interceptions, but they had a fine game all-round. Vasijev was the stand out performer for Dinamo Moscow as he scored a goal, only misplaced one pass, made 1 key pass, won 1 key header and made 2 threatening runs while also drawing 3 fouls. A great game here though and Blackpool would go into the Premier League clash with Aston Villa with a lot of confidence.

 

[JBlues08]

7 points from 3 group games, impressive! How's the group table looking right now?

 

[hedger_14]

Galatasaray and I are both on 7 points as we both beat Ventspils and Dinamo Moscow and we drew each other although he has a higher goal difference by one, then Dinamo Moscow are on 3 points after thrashing Ventspils and then losing to Galatasaray and I and Ventspils are yet to take a point.

 

[hedger_14]

27th October - Blackpool v Aston Villa - Premier Division​

It was a big game for both teams, Blackpool coming off two successive losses in the Premier League, while Aston Villa have only won one game this season and sitting in 16th, and it's no surprise that Blackpool go into the game as favourites. Aston Villa has had the better of the two teams in their past 7 meetings, Aston Villa winning 3 games to Blackpool's 2 wins while the other 2 games resulted in draws. Blackpool would be without Jeffren through suspension while Aston Villa were without Stephen Ireland, Curtis Davies and reserve goalie, Christian Gratzei, making their job even tougher. Blackpool made a few changes to their side, with James McFadden coming back into the starting XI from injury while Israel was dropped from the side with Carney's impressive mid-week form earning him a spot on the bench. Craig Cathcart would also make his first league start of the season, Evatt moving to the bench while Grandin would move to right midfield with Adam and Sylvestre in the central midfield as dos Santos would start on the bench, still recovering from injury. For Aston Villa, much would rely on Gabby Agbonlahor up front, already with 3 goals this season and been a major part of the Aston Villa team over the past seasons with 36 goals since 2010, not great but good. Ashley Young has been ever so present for Aston Villa over the years with 106 appearances since 2010, scoring 15 goals and setting up 38 goals with at least 10 assists each season and has already scored a goal and set up 3 this season for 2 MOTM awards, a great effort in a underachieving side.


Blackpool:

GK: William Caballero

DL: Mikael Dorsin
DC: Phil Jones
DC: Craig Cathcart
DR: Lee Hodson

ML: James McFadden
MC: Charlie Adam (C)
MC: Ludovic Sylvestre
MR: Elliot Grandin

ST: David Goodwillie
ST: Chris Wood

Subs: David Ospina, Neal Eardley, Ian Evatt, Edu Bedia, David Carney, Giovani dos Santos, DJ Campbell


Aston Villa:

GK: Wayne Hennessey

DL: Stephen Warnock
DC: Richard Dunne
DC: Carlos Cuellar
DR: Kyle Walker

ML: Pablo Armero
MC: Steve Sidwell
MC: Nigel Reo-Coker
MR: Stephan Lichtsteiner

AMC: Ashley Young

ST: Gabby Agbonlahor

Subs: Kim Christensen, Stephen Jordan, James Collins, Danny Rose, Yakubu, Kyle Naughton, Phil Phillips


Goodwillie tested his luck early on in the 9th minute with a long range strike which was hit well, the keeper just getting himself in the way and stopping the shot to deny Blackpool the opening goal. From then on though, it was all Aston Villa as they created all the chances but the Blackpool defence was strong and Villa just couldn't break through. Carlos Cuellar somehow found the net though in the 35th minute when he scored an impossible goal from the corner, when he somehow sneaked it in at the near post to put a dent in The Seasiders confidence. That was it though as Blackpool went into the half-time break down 1-0 and needed to up their performance in their second half.

Blackpool came out and attacked straight away and had a couple of chances to score within the opening 3 minutes. Aston Villa couldn't do much as Blackpool didn't give them any space and created more chances and finally equalised in the 57th minute, when Goodwillie played a good through ball for his partner Chris Wood to slot it past the keeper with a composed finish. Aston Villa would have been down after the goal and Blackpool made them pay yet again about 5 minutes later when a lapse in concentration left Goodwillie free to get on the end of a low cross from Elliot Grandin and he hit a powerful volley to finish it off and put Blackpool into the lead and it seemed like another second half comeback. Both sides created more chances but neither could find the net and time was running out for Aston Villa and even some desperate stoppage time attack couldn't get them a goal as Blackpool held out for a 2-1 win to get back on winning terms in the league.

David Goodwillie took the MOTM award with a great performance, picking up a goal and an assist, while completing 4 key passes and winning 3 tackles, the best performer by some way. Phil Jones was solid yet again at the back with 33 passes, 3 tackles, 10 headers and 6 intercepts to cap off a very good performance at the back while Lee Hodson was hard working, completing 38 passes, winning 2 tackles, 3 key headers and taking 1 interception while travelling over 10km. Ashley Young was the stand out by a fair way for Aston Villa, picking up an assist while completing 4 key passes, 3 crosses, winning 2 headers and making 2 threatening runs.

 

[hedger_14]

30th October - Sunderland v Blackpool - League Cup 4th Rnd​

Sunderland went into the match as slight underdogs, as they were having the poorest run in years in 15th place while finishing in the top 6 for the past 3 seasons, while Blackpool would be looking to progress further in the league cup before coming back to The Stadium Light on Saturday to play Sunderland again in the league. Jeffren's ban was extended for another 2 matches so he would miss both matches against Sunderland, while Christian Riveros would miss both matches through injury, but that was the only news for both sides. Blackpool made a whole lot of changes to their side with fitness being an issue coming off their premier division clash with Aston Villa only 3 days ago, while DJ Campbell would make his first start for the season. Micah Richards would have to be solid yet again at the back to deny the likes of David Goodwillie and the returning DJ Campbell from getting their names onto the scoresheet and must be if Sunderland want to win the match.


Sunderland:

GK: Simon Mignolet

DL: Vegard Forren
DC: Matthew Kilgallon
DC: Micah Richards
DR: Marcos Angeleri

ML: Tarik Elyounoussi
MC: Lee Cattermole (C)
MC: Nick Appleton
MR: Jordan Henderson

ST: Ryan Noble
ST: Ahmed Soukouna

Subs: Johnny Leoni, Klaas Beeftink, Lee Wallace, Titus Bramble, Darren Bent, Jonas, Michael Turner


Blackpool:

GK: David Ospina

DL: Tarik Brack
DC: Phil Jones (C)
DC: Craig Cathcart
DR: Neal Eardley

ML: David Carney
MC: Edu Bedia
MC: Mark Noble
MR: Giovani dos Santos

ST: David Goodwillie
ST: DJ Campbell

Subs: William Caballero, Lee Hodson, Ian Evatt, Ludovic Sylvestre, Israel, Elliot Grandin, Chris Wood


Lee Cattermole tested out Ospina early with a decent long range strike but the Blackpool keeper was up for it, tipping it away. Blackpool came back strongly and Goodwillie had a couple of good opportunities to open the scoring within 20 minutes but couldn't. DJ Campbell had the perfect opportunity to score within 8 minutes of half-time when Edu Bedia drove a long ball in cutting open the Sunderland defence and Campbell on the end of it couldn't show enough composure, hitting it over the bar. Carney tested his luck with a couple of shots before half-time but Blackpool just could not find a way into the back of the net and even when Goodwillie did right on half-time, the goal was disallowed with Goodwillie narrowly being offside but it was very close and the teams went into the half-time break level.

Mark Noble was brought off for Ludovic Sylvestre at the break but it didn't seem to change much as the next 15 minutes were very boring with no chances being created. Bent, coming off the bench nearly found the net with a low shot but Ospina made yet another great save, before Henderson put the ball miles over the crossbar. Soukona got his name on the scoresheet only minutes later though when he had a strike from outside the box, leaving Ospina no chance, and Israel was brought on for Carney. It was nearly a perfect move as Israel put in a perfect cross for DJ Campbell but his header just could not be kept down and Sunderland survived the scare. Wood was brought on for Campbell as they tried to find a way to equalise and Goodwillie nearly found that equaliser but only could find side netting. It was better late than never for Blackpool though as Wood equalised in the 88th minute, with dos Santos playing a long ball in field for Goodwillie who then played a nice through ball for Chris Wood, maybe just offside but the linesman kept his flag down and Wood picked up the ball before showing his finesse, putting it in the bottom left corner and it was all square with minutes remaining. Jonas tested Ospina out late in stoppage time as Sunderland nearly snatched the victory but Ospina tipped it away for a corner and it was going to stoppage time.

Jordan Henderson was nearly the hero only minutes into stoppage time with an over-the-head kick off a Darren Bent cross, which seemed destined for the back of the net but Ospina pulled off probably the save of the season somehow getting a hand to it to tip it onto the crossbar and Edu Bedia made the clearance. Soukona took back the lead for Sunderland in the 101st minute, heading Wallace's cross past Ospina and Sunderland led 2-1, and that's how it was going into the second half of extra-time. Time continued to run out though for Blackpool and they just could not create any chances as Sunderland would progress, winning 2-1, a deserved result for Sunderland.

It was no surprise that Ahmed Soukona took the MOTM award for his 2 goals while making 3 key passes, winning 10 headers and making 3 runs. Kilgallon was great at the back for Sunderland winning 4 tackles, 11 headers and making 9 interceptions, while the right back, Marcos Angeleri was also great, completing 53 passes, winning 6/6 tackles and taking 13 intercepts as well as travelling over 15km. For Blackpool, David Ospina was the stand out, making a number of great saves to keep Sunderland to only 2 goals while Phil Jones was superb at the back, winning 2 tackles, 14 headers including 6 key headers and making 12 interceptions while covering 13.1km over the course of the game. Blackpool would be looking to rebound in their weekend clash against Sunderland and hopefully take the points to put Sunderland's league spot in serious contention of relegation.

 

[iridescentt]

Got dominated in the Sunderland game.

On the other hand you were flagged offside like 10 times, unlucky.

Props on the story by the way, you really put the effort in. Makes me want to get back into FM11 - still got my Swansea save from yonders that I wanted to finish.

 

[hedger_14]

2nd November - Sunderland v Blackpool - Premier Division​

Blackpool would be looking to hit back from their mid-week defeat against Sunderland to take all 3 points in their league clash. This will be the 10th time the two teams meet, Sunderland having the better record, Blackpool having won the first 2 matches but Sunderland have taken 6 wins and a draw in the last 7. There would be no new injury news for either club since their league cup match on Wednesday. Sunderland would be needing another win to improve their league standings but a loss could move them into relegation contention while Blackpool would be looking to improve their position. For Blackpool, David Goodwillie was finally given a rest with DJ Campbell and Chris Wood lining up front, while Ospina got another shot, chosen as the keeper over Caballero after a stunning mid-week performance against Sunderland. Sunderland made a fair few changes as well to their league cup lineup with their star striker, Gyan coming back in and with 7 league goals already this season, he could be the one to make or break the game. It should be another great game though, and we're looking forward to it. This will also be Phil Jones 100th league appearance in his career.


Sunderland:

GK: Simon Mignolet

DL: Lee Wallace
DC: Christophe Berra
DC: Michael Turner
DR: Micah Richards

ML: Adam Hlousek
MC: Lee Cattermole (C)
MC: Rasmus Elm
MR: Ivelin Popov

ST: Fraizer Campbell
ST: Asamoah Gyan

Subs: Johnny Leoni, Darren Bent, Jonas, Titus Bramble, Ryan Noble, Tarik Elyounoussi, Matthew Kilgallon


Blackpool:

GK: David Ospina

DL: Mikael Dorsin
DC: Phil Jones
DC: Ian Evatt
DR: Lee Hodson

ML: James McFadden
MC: Charlie Adam (C)
MC: Ludovic Sylvestre
MR: Elliot Grandin

ST: DJ Campbell
ST: Chris Wood

Subs: William Caballero, Neal Eardley, Craig Cathcart, Edu Bedia, Israel, Giovani dos Santos, David Goodwillie


It was Blackpool looking to make a statement early on in the match with an attack forming less than 5 minutes in but it was a bit of a waste when Sylvestre hit it well over the crossbar. Sunderland couldn't do much as Blackpool took all of the early chances and Berra was to blame 20 minutes in when he tried to dribble it out of his own box, only to be robbed by the New Zealand striker, Chris Wood who turned and then tucked it away in the bottom corner to put Blackpool 1-0 up and the away fans were going wild. Sunderland tried to hit back but only managed to pick up a few bookings and Blackpool would have been very happy going into the half-time break 1-0 up.

Blackpool decided to go on the attack from kick off, despite no changes being made and they split the Sunderland defence open with ease as Charlie Adam had a chance to get his name on the scoresheet and extend Blackpool's lead but Mignolet made a good save to deny him. Sunderland nearly found their way to equalise 67 minutes in with Gyan getting a clear cut chance from the 6 yard box to score but Ospina made a great save to keep Blackpool's lead intact, and dos Santos was brought on for Chris Wood. Sunderland just could not create any chances though and Blackpool made a double substitution with about 10 minutes to go, McFadden brought off for Israel and Jones got an early mark with Cathcart coming on for him, Jones with another great game. Ospina was being tested out late in the game as the Blackpool defence was poor but he showed why he is one of the better premier league keepers by pulling off some great saves. Some last minute scrambling won Blackpool the game as they kept Sunderland out and pulled off a memorable win at the Stadium of Light and could go out of the game with newly found confidence.

It wasn't surprising that the MOTM award went to Blackpool's keeper, David Ospina who pulled off some top class saves to give Blackpool their win, while Ian Evatt was also very solid at the back, in the second half especially, as he won 10 headers, 3 of them key headers and making 7 interceptions while Jones was solid yet again at the back, winning 4 tackles and 9/9 headers while taking 3 intercepts. Micah Richards had a solid game for Sunderland meanwhile, completing 25 passes, 2 crosses, winning 6/6 tackles and 2/2 headers while making 7 interceptions, Sunderland's best performer and could have lost by more without him. Asamoah Gyan had a match to forget as he was extremely poor, only making 8 passes over the 90 minutes, only completed 1/8 tackles and 1/12 headers, was caught offside twice and commited 2 fouls, and his spot would be under pressure. Chris Wood's goal marked his 50th in his career in club football as well, a great achievement for him.